Houston receives club backing

Dundee United have issued a statement backing their manager Peter Houston.

The Tangerines have experienced a poor start to their campaign but at least displayed some signs of improvement by recording a 4-1 win at Dunfermline Athletic at the weekend.

That was sufficient to lift them a couple of place in the table to eighth, although they suffered a surprise exit from the Scottish Communities League Cup to Falkirk last week.

"The chairman and board of directors would like to confirm its unanimous and unequivocal support of Peter Houston as manager," read a club statement. "After the recent media attention regarding the manager's position at the club, it was felt a statement needed to be issued to put an end to the rumour and speculation.

"The team is going through a transition this season and, as such, performances will be inconsistent. But everyone is united in the aim of moving the club forward.

"And our wish is to now focus on doing so and we would hope this confirmation will end all media speculation on this subject."